Outlet connector for tanks



Feb. 9, 1943. P. SPERRY 2,310,877

OUTLET CONNECTOR FOR TANKS Filed Sept. 23, 1941 PIE/7aape-Aw);

Patented Feb. 9, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I OUTLET FOR TANK S IApplication September No. 412,043

3 Claims.

This invention relates to connectors for connecting liquid tanks ofvarious kinds to outlet connections such as pipes, valves and'the like.

It will be appreciated that such tanks are usually associated orconnected with apparatus in which the liquid in the tanks is used.Further, it will be appreciated that often such tanks are used apartfrom the apparatus and are supported independently or by means notalways in accurate alignment with the associated apparatus.

The comparative recent developmentin ceramics in which the physicalproperties of .vitreous enamel have been vastly improved has providedtanks of light steel covered with vitreous enamel which has largelyreplaced tanks of copper, zinc and cast iron of higher costs and lowerutility. Such tanks have invaded the plumbing field and have beenutilized for such plumbing fixtures as bath tubs, sinks and lavatories.These tanks of light steel covered with thin coatings oi vitreous enamelhave one serious weaknessthat is, their liability to chip when subjectedto sharp bending stresses and shocks. This weakness frequently isencountered as a result of the outlet piping connections which, asaforesaid, are not always mounted in accurate relationship with theassociated apparatus. The condition is further aggravated by the factthat tanks of light steel when coated with vitreous enamel often arewarped or distorted'as a result of the necessary high enamellingheat.

To combat the conditions as above outlined, designers and engineers havedeveloped connector structures wherein the connections are made on atapered wall outlet opening'in the tank. The connector contacts havebeen usually made by soft lead washers associated with zinc diecastings. structural adaptability and fit in the joint between thecomparatively fragile vitreous tank and the connections, However, evenwith all this ingenuous high cost construction expensive failures haveoccurred, that is, the enamel in the tank is cracked at the joint andrust and failure ensue.

The present defense armament program has limited the use of certainstrategic materials and among these zinc is most critical. This has hadthe effect of seriously handicapping many nondefense industries whoseproducts involve the use of such materials.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide more effectiveconnector means for light zinc or non-ferrous metal parts, and at thesame time providing greater adaptability to non-uniform conditions andless liability to damage from dangerous stresses.

Other objects and benefits will be disclosed in the various descriptionsand drawing showing my novel connector adapted to a conventional washingmachine tub as illustrative of my invention.

Figure 1 is a broken cross sectional elevation 'view of the comer of awashing machine tub showing a drain opening and my novel rubberconnector; and

Figure 2 is a broken cross sectional elevational view of another form ofconnector as will later be explained.

Now, referring 'to Figure 1, I designate the washing machine tub by thenumeral III. This tub is'normally about 23 inches in diameter and incheshigh. The drain openings are usually about 6 inches inward from the wallof the tub as is well shown in Figure 1. The common practice from thedrain openings in the bottom of the tub is by a conical wall opening l3.In this conical opening I insert my rubber connector consisting of anupper section 14 having a recess I! to accommodate a metal lock ring Hi.

This connection provides considerable On the outer side of the connectoris a conical outer wall I1 and on the bottom is a ring section l9. Inthe opening of the section II and the main body of the. connector aredrain holes it which serve to drain any leakage between the section Itand the conical wall opening it. In the rim section I9 I show a lightsteel pipe fitting A which is firmly attached to the connector by meansof a grip ring l6a as shown. This drain tube A passes through an openingin a base band [I which supports the tub III by contact with the rubberring l2, as shown. The entire washing machine structure is supportedfrom the base band I I by conventional legs not shown, and it will beappreciated that any stresses from the legs transmitted through themember A would have no eflect on my rubber connector because of theflexibility of the mounting. Contrarywise, if such connections were madeby the conventional method, that is, by zinc die castings, such stresseswould be immediately transmitted to the connection and liability ofdamage by chipping enamel fromthe conical walls l3 would ensue.

Now, referring to Figure 2, I show another form of connector wherein atank 20 is provided with a flat drain hole section 2|. The sectionvitreous enamel tanks or the like not utilizing 2| being joinedto thebottom of the tank 2|! by easy curves as shown. The rubber connectormember is somewhat differently formed, but has the conventional uppersection M, the ring opening I! to accommodate an expanding steel gripring I6. As is the case in Figure l, the entire cross sectional area ofmy connector is formed in such a manner that installation of theconnector with the drain opening is easily made by collapsing theconnector. In Figure 2 I have shown no drain connection to theconnector, and it will be understood that I contemplate various forms ofconnections to adapt my connector to many types of apparatus as will bewell understood.

It will be appreciated that I design my connector member in a formwhereby as the connector expands after being collapsed in the drainopening, the flange sections flrmly grip the walls of the outlet to makea tight connection therewith.

Having thus explained the invention, I now claim as new:

1. In a connector for attachment to flanged outlets of tanks a flexibletubular connector member adapted to be collapsed and inserted within theoutlet, flanges on the tubular member adapted to expand from collapsedcondition to open condition with the flanges in gripped, sealed contactwith both sides of the tank outlet flange, an inner recess in one of theconnector flanges accessible from inside of the tank, and an expansionring adapted to be collapsed and inserted within the recess to lock theflanges in sealing contact with the tank outlet flange when expanded.

2. In a connector for attachment to flanged outlets to tanks, a flexibletubular connector member adapted to be collapsed and inserted within theoutlet, flanges on the tubular member adapted to expand from collapsedcondition to open condition with the flanges in gripping, sealed contactwith both sides of the tank flange, and an expansion ring insertablefrom inside the tank to lock the connector flanges in sealing contactwith the tank outlet.

3. In a connector for attachment to walled outlets of tanks, a pliabletubular member adapted to be collapsed and inserted within the outlet,flanges on the tubular member adapted to expand from collapsed conditionto open condition with the flanges in gripping, sealed contact with bothinside and outside of the tank outlet walls, and expansion ring meansappliable after connetcion of the tubular member with the walled outletto lock the flanges in sealed contact with the tank outlet walls.

PIERCE SPERRY.

